The MotoGP riders are flying this season, and they proved it again during the 2024 Emilia Romagna GP. The pace they set from practice to the race, including the race to the sprint, is proof of how far they are pushing the bikes every weekend.
The Martín-Bagnaia duel has been present in every session. They are the two main candidates for the title and are acting as such. Although the rest of the riders may have their moments of prominence, they are the ones who stand out from the rest. And with six GPs ahead and despite the mathematical chances, today it is difficult to think of anyone other than Jorge or Pecco to end up with the number 1 on the fairing.
WHAT A BATTLE! Victory is at stake… And the World Cup 💥
Jorge Martín and Pecco Bagnaia with their swords raised ⚔️#EmiliaRomagnaGP 🇮🇹 #MotoGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/jRfunRmp6n
— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) September 22, 2024
However, as we have seen at the Emilia Romagna GP and in previous races, this does not mean that Martin or Bagnaia do not make mistakes. This year the situation is so equal between the two that it is precisely these mistakes that can determine the final result. But it is also true that so far they have made fewer mistakes than the rest, and hence their advantage at the top of the standings.
Looking back on the weekend from a more relaxed perspective, the feeling is that unlike other times, the mistake Pecco Bagnaia made seven laps from the end after having taken an uncontested victory in the Sprint Race was entirely avoidable. Bagnaia had lost contact with Martin and Bastianini, but was able to recover his pace and secure a valuable third position that would have given him 16 valuable points. Instead, he crashed out of Misano with 12 points compared to Martin’s 29 and Bagnaia’s 32, his two main rivals today.
FALL OF PECCO BAGNAIA!!!
ON THE GROUND WHEN ROLLING THIRD! A TREMENDOUS blow to the World Cup!#EmiliaRomagnaGP 🇮🇹 #MotoGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/gl6z2t9KeD
— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) September 22, 2024
And although the battle for the championship seems to be between only two at the moment, Bagnaia has seen Bastianini cut his lead by 33 points in the last 3 GPs and Márquez by 47. In fact, of the top four classified riders, he is the one who has scored the fewest points in the last three races, including the Emilia Romagna GP. Even so, what is certain is that the title is Ducati’s, because once again they occupied the podium on Saturday (Bagnaia, Martín, Bastianini) and on Sunday with Bastianini’s victory over Martín and Marc Márquez completing the podium.
Enea’s victory at the Emilia Romagna GP came with controversy
The victory was not without controversy, as after Martín had defended his lead tooth and nail, marking tighter lines and stopping the bike in the middle of the corner on many occasions, Enea went all out on the last lap. The Italian entered through a gap that did not exist, had to lift the bike to avoid a fall and as a result, forced Martín to go off the track at turn four and, in fact, he also went off.
A questionable way to end the race, as was Martin’s rude gesture as he crossed the finish line. Race Direction and the panel of stewards did not even investigate the action, but the two drivers settled their differences after discussing the situation.
WHAT A FINAL RACE 🤯🥵😱
Enea Bastianini put Jorge Martín ahead with a touch included to win… And in 89 he responded with a nod #EmiliaRomagnaGP 🇮🇹 #MotoGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/o4IfpmEAwR
— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) September 22, 2024
The one who has had a weekend optimising the situation and adding all the points possible has been a solid Marc Márquez. He was unable to get on the podium on Saturday and did not have the pace to do so on Sunday if it were not for Bagnaia’s fall, but he accepted the points and is now 60 behind Martín, 36 behind Bagnaia and 1 behind Bastianini, it is striking that he is 160 points ahead of the next rider with a 2023 bike, which is his brother Álex.
Looking at the rest of the classification we see a Ducati top five with Bezzecchi fourth and Morbidelli fifth. Viñales and the Aprilia have not been able to shine. But more notable is the seventh place achieved by Fabio Quartararo with the Yamaha. A position that could have been better, but the Frenchman ran out of gas and lost fifth place. Even so, the feeling is that Yamaha is finding its way again and that is always positive for the championship and the show.
Aleix Espargaro, Alex Marquez and Miguel Oliveira rounded out the top 10, a top 10 that for the first time this season the Honda riders were able to get close to with Joan Mir eleventh and Luca Marini twelfth. A small step that could mark a change of trend in the next GPs. Luckily, this coming weekend we will be able to see if it was just a coincidence or if both Yamaha and Honda continue to make up for the lost distance, because Indonesia is the next stop in the championship.
